Carnival in crisis as leader resigns

Crowds lined the streets for the colourful Thame Carnival procession in 2010

By Hayley O’Keeffe
@misshoknews

Thame’s popular carnival could be cancelled this year as no one has been found to lead the organising committee.

Thame’s popular carnival could be cancelled this year as no one has been found to lead the organising committee.

Town council chiefs say they simply do not have the time or resources to put on the June event, and need members of the community to help lead preparations.

The news comes after the leader of the organising committee resigned in January, and with limited plans in place the event may not be able to go ahead.

Town clerk Helen Stewart, said: “The chair resigned at the beginning of the year and we need to let the community know that if they want the event to go ahead this year, they will need to get together and form a committee.

“Pete Andre came a couple of years ago to save it, and it was really good.

“We’ve been informed that RAF Halton have been booked to do a fly past with a Lancaster Bomber.

“We just need someone enthusiastic with some time and energy to get this going for the community.”

The town council says that it will provide a room for the carnival committee to meet in, and that funding is available to help make the event a success.

In 2011 pop star Peter Andre stepped in to help save the carnival.

The Australian came to town for a week to film an episode of his ITV2 programme Here to Help.

As part of the show he enlisted the help of the public, booked bands, handed out flyers and persuading businesses to donate raffle prizes.